Improvement in accordions



Accordion.

Patented Sept. 3,1878.

WIPSLS'PS .I 9%M7fm MFErRs, FHcTOMTHOGRAPNE, WASHINGTON. D C.

Unir-inn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE MEINHOLD, OF KLINGENTHAL, SAXONY, GERMANY.

IMPROVEMENT IN ACCORDIONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207.759, datedSeptember 3, 1878; application filed June 17, 1878.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE MEiNHoLD, of Klingenthal, Saxony, Germany,have invented nenr and useful Improvements in Musical Instruments, ofwhich the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention, applicable to accordions, concertinas,organinas, and similar instruments, consists in the construction andpeculiar shape of the hand-piece by Which the instrument is Worked,further, in the construction of the reedcells and reed-boards tofacilitate the introduction and removal of the free reed, and whereby agreater number of free reeds can be introduced into an instrument.

In the accompanying` drawing, Figure I represents a bottom or insideview of the reedboard. Fig. II is a section at line f j' of Fig. I. Fig.III is a section at line g g, Fig. I, and Fig. IV is a section at line h7i, Fig. I.

Similar letters represent similar parts in all the gures.

A B C are the reed-boards. The inner side of the reed-boards A and Bhave cavities a and b cut into the same by boring the end of the cavityby means ot' a suitable boringtool, and then cutting out toward theoutside edge, thereby forming the required cells for the reeds. In thesecells a recess, a, is grooved out dovetailed, as shown in Fig. IV, forthe reception of the free reeds, and similar recesses m are made on theoutside of the board. The side edges of the free reeds are madedovetailed to fit and slide easily into these recesses a and m,facilitating thereby the putting in and taking out of the free reedsWhenevei required.

Against the solid parts o and w of these boards A and B buff -leatherpacking s is placed, to form a tight joint between the same and the topplate D of the accordion or other instrument. Against the outer edges ofthese boards A and B projecting pieces J, fast to the top plate D, arefitted, provided at their inner edges with buff-leather packing-strips rto make a tight joint at these outer surfaces. In the central part ofthe board A a raised pa-rt, E, is arranged, divided by suitablepartition-plates into any desired number of cells d.

In the outer Walls of these cells the cavities c and c, similar to thoseabove described, are made for the reception of the inner and outer freereeds.

It Will be perceived that by the arrangement of this raised part E thefree reeds, instead of being situated parallel to the top plate D, areVat an angle with the same, and that thereby the number of free reedswhich may be arranged in an instrument of a given size will beconsiderably increased. Instead of arranging this raised part E on theboard A, the same may be attached directly to the top plate D. Thisraised part E is closed by a suitable cover, F, made air-tight by meansof buff-leather packing l), in the usual manner.

The reed-board C has only the cavities c and z for the reception of theinternal and external free reeds, and the corresponding cells are inthis case made on the under side of the top plate D. Upon the partitionsof these cells this board C is fastened and made air-tight by the usualbuff-leather packing u. Vith each of the several cells the usualapertures passing through the top plate D are made and connected. Theseapertures are closed by valves G. These valves are hinged to a plate, 3,at tached to the top plate D; or the same may be hinged directly to saidtop plate, and are provided with the usual soft material on their underside.

L is the key to operate the valve, hinged to the hand-plate M in theusual manner, and either projecting outside of the surface at its upperend or provided with a projecting knob, l, for the purpose of operatingthe same. To theloiver part of this keyL a suitable sprin g-rod, y, isattached, connected at its outer end with the valve G to operate thesame.

M is the hand-plate on top of the top plate D, to which a suitableloop-strap, I), to receive the thumb of the hand, and a liandstrap, It,are attached. The upper part of this hand-plate M is provided with acurved raised part, O, and with a cavity, Q, or recess for the thumb tolie and rest in, and by which construction greater facility is given foroperation.

T is the flame to which the flexible material forming the bellows andWind-chest is attached. This frame is made beveled on its edges, (seeFig. II and III,) and provided with the usual 2. A xed holder orhand-plate, M, provided packing between it and the edges of the top witha raised part, O, and cavity Q on its upplate D. per part, substantiallyas and for the purpose What I claiin as my invention, and desire setforth. to secure by Letters Patent, is- 3. The hinged valve G, incombination with l. In accordions, concertinas, and silnilar thespring-rod y and key L, arranged to oper-- n instruments, thereed-boards A and B, having ate in the ina-nner speciiied.

cavities a and I), forming the cells, and cavities ot and mforthesliding reeds, and constructed THEODORE MEINHOLD. fO between projectingpieces J, provided 1th suitable packing r, fast to the body or topWitnesses: /iate D, substantially in the manner and for HENRY E. ROEDER,

the purpose described. J. B. NoNEs. r

